Quoted Text

A simple slip can be the bane of the elderly
Each year, falls send about 132,000 older people to emergency rooms, and about 900 of them die
By Cathleen F. Crowley
Published 10:30 p.m., Sunday, September 23, 2012


ROTTERDAM — Margaret Vitelli knew about that big crack in the walkway outside her friend's house and safely stepped over it dozens of times. She said "four of us girls" were getting together for their regular card game eight weeks ago when, for some reason, the 92-year-old woman tripped and fell on that crack.

Vitelli broke her hip. "It ruined me," she said.

Before the fall, Vitelli lived alone and walked on her own. After the fall, she spent six weeks in a nursing home before moving in with her daughter. Now, Vitelli uses a walker.

"I just sit in a chair, pray and watch TV," she said.

Each year, about 132,000 New Yorkers older than 65 go to the emergency room because of falls, and 900 die, according to state health officials. Most falls happen at home.

After one tumble, two-thirds of the people will fall again, said Greg Olsen, acting director of The State Office for the Aging.

"Falls, unfortunately, happen all too often, and they can have a very devastating impact on someone's health and their independence," Olsen said.

In many cases, the fear of falling makes people abandon the normal heel-toe gait for a shuffling walk, and turns them into shut-ins afraid of stepping out and tripping on a crack. The isolation and lack of exercise make their mental and physical health deteriorate more, Olsen said.......................>>>>...................>>>>.................Read more: http://www.timesunion.com/loca.....95.php#ixzz27Nk7A4Nf

we NEED to government to tell us not to fall down

it's what happens when we age....we become less graceful, less strong, less resilient etc etc.....

kids can fall all the time and heal up very very very quickly....

that's just what happens......not fun, not nice, not a bowl full of cherries.....

I don't see many farmers in nursing homes with broken hips

Quoted from senders

I don't see many farmers in nursing homes with broken hips

They simply need to enact a tax that penalizes people that fall down.

That will fix the problem.

One way to prevent falls for the elderly --- NEVER, EVER get caught standing between a nayboob and a donut shop ---- they will plow right over you.

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

One way to prevent falls for the elderly --- NEVER, EVER get caught standing between a nayboob and a donut shop ---- they will plow right over you.

with helmet on and head down

Quoted from DemocraticVoiceOfReason

One way to prevent falls for the elderly --- NEVER, EVER get caught standing between a nayboob and a donut shop ---- they will plow right over you.

They must know who you are  and want to knock you over.

We happen to know an 84 year old woman who is in pretty good health. (she is a widow) She fell in her home. She didn't get hurt but it scared the hell out of her. She won't leave her home now. Won't even take her garbage out to the road. TRUE!!